Saraswati Puja started in a festive atmosphere in "DU" Jagannath Hall premises

The Saraswati Puja celebration has started in the Jagannath Hall premises of Dhaka University (DU) in a festive atmosphere, the Jagannath Hall premises has become lively with the walk of devotees and visitors.

Saturday (February 4)

• The ceremony begins at 9 am in the Jagannath Hall temple with the puja of Goddess Saraswati, the white-robed Basana Gnandayini. Then at 10 o'clock the devotees pay obeisance to Saraswati, goddess of learning. After the aarti at 6 pm, the puja formalities will end. Saraswati Puja is celebrated even when girls are five.

At this time, the puja mandap was resounding with the hooting of the devotees, and the dhaki's drumming, children were given handouts, prasad was distributed among the devotees. The traditional Jagannath Hall is decorated in puja attire. This event during the corona time is a bit dim compared to the last few years. However, the devotees are happy to be able to celebrate the puja, albeit on a limited scale after a year. Ganesh Roy, a student of Jagannath Hall, said, 'Every year we celebrate the puja with colorful arrangements and various cultural events. But due to the restrictions of Corona, it has to be done on a limited scale. Still glad to be able to do it physically. We hope to get back a healthy and beautiful world soon, pray to mother.'

Visiting various mandapams, children are starting to practice learning with their hands in front of the goddess. Devotees perform Aarti with Anjali at the feet of Goddess. They are worshiping in different mandaps in various ways to increase their knowledge. Besides, many people are seen circumambulating the Sarvatirtha Parikrama temple, raising their hands and bowing their heads before the goddess to pray.

Jagannath

• The largest idol of Vidyadevi made of fine arts has been installed in the pond of the hall.
  The students of the department of mass communication and journalism of the university are making the pavilion in the light of the theme of George Orwell's book 'Nineteen Eighty Four'.

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The student of this department said, "Our pujamandap is decorated in the style of George Orwell's 'Ministry of Truth'. The 'Ministry of Truth' is the epitome of how authoritarian regimes use news, music, art, etc. to spread their propaganda to their people through the media.

"Let Vidyadevi thwart their efforts, give knowledge to the common people, so that they do not fall victim to the ruling group's manipulation with their knowledge, this is our organization with this message in mind."

Jagannath Hall Chhatra League president Kajal Das believes that 'non-communal spirit' is practiced through the gathering of students of different religions during Saraswati Puja.

Kajal Das

• "Dhaka University is a beacon of secular practice. Saraswati Puja is the worship of our Hindu students, but here all the students get together irrespective of the caste and religion of the campus and there is a festive atmosphere.… We want to convey the message that the students of Dhaka University are united, always practice communal spirit and call for the practice of human harmony.”

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Professor Mihir Lal Saha said, "Everyone is working with enthusiasm in preparing for the puja. Security will be handled by law enforcement and proctoral teams. Hopefully with everyone's cooperation we will be able to perform a beautiful puja.”